Drake Maye Report Card: How Patriots QB Graded In Overtime Loss
The Patriots found him.
New England has it’s franchise quarterback, if it wasn’t already known after Drake Maye’s first three starts. There’s a very good chance Patriots fans will point to Maye’s performance against the Tennessee Titans, one filled with remarkably high highs and a few costly lows, as the moment they knew Maye was for real.
The third overall pick was far and away the best player for the Patriots. But unfortunately for Maye, New England failed to produce around him and it paved the way to a 20-17 overtime loss to the lowly Titans.
Here’s how Maye graded in the loss.
HIGH MARKS
Ground gains
Maye scrambled and turned negative plays into positive ones. He finished with eight rushing attempts for 95 yards (!) for a 12-yard-per-carry average. Maye picked up 13 yards on New England’s first scoring drive and 22 yards on the first touchdown drive. The North Carolina product was known as a dual-threat signal-caller, but Maye’s ground gains were something those in New England haven’t seen in recent memory. Cam Newton never recorded such an output during his one season with the Patriots. Maye received little help on the ground from Patriots running backs as Rhamondre Stevenson, JaMycal Hasty and Antonio Gibson combined for 12 carries for 15 yards. Twelve carries for 15 yards!
Off-script success
Maye’s scrambles accounted for New England’s best off-script plays, but the rookie did so with his arm as well. His third-and-1 shovel pass to Stevenson, who was in position as an outlet, helped the Patriots reset the chains on their first scoring drive. He made countless other throws on the move, too. Simply put, the play is never dead with Maye behind center.
Elevating the offense
Maye makes everyone around him better. He completed 29 of his 41 passes for 206 yards with tight end Hunter Henry (seven catches, 56 yards) and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (four catches, 41 yards) leading the pass-catching group. His perfectly-placed throw to DeMario Douglas, who toe-tapped to stay in bounds, isn’t something every other quarterback can do. It was the highlight of the passing game Sunday. An improved cast of characters around Maye will make a big difference, but for now the Patriots can rest easy knowing they have someone behind center who makes everyone better.
LOW MARKS
Rookie mistakes
Maye shouldered the blame for his two interceptions, including the game-sealing pick in overtime. He called it a “dumb decision.” The 22-year-old made a few questionable calls, to be sure. Maye threw his first interception on the first play of the second quarter after he felt the pressure. It was a bad throw intended for Ja’Lynn Polk. Maye also put the Patriots in a third-and-21 situation after he threw a checkdown to Hasty on a play he almost certainly should’ve thrown in the dirt. His game-ending pick on first down at New England’s 41-yard line was another deep shot which wasn’t there given the safety help.
Asking too much
No, this isn’t on Maye. This is more so on the Patriots. It’s clear New England has put way too much on the rookie thus far. The Patriots have next to nothing around him with the receiver room again failing to compile more than 100 yards combine. And did we mention the embarrassing running game? It’s unfair to Maye, but it’s the position he’s in.
GRADE: B+